India Expands Its Strategic Footprint in the Indo-Pacific with BrahMos Missile Exports
- MGMMTeam
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India is poised to make a significant stride in its defence diplomacy with the impending export of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam and Indonesia. Valued at more than ₹4,000 crore (around $450 million), these deals underscore India’s growing role as a trusted defence partner in the Indo-Pacific region and highlight its emergence as a global supplier of advanced military technology.
Landmark Defence Agreements
The proposed agreements mark a milestone in India’s defence export journey. Negotiations have advanced to the final stages, with Russia — a co-developer of BrahMos alongside India’s DRDO — providing a verbal no-objection clearance. This is a critical step because BrahMos is a joint Indo-Russian project, and foreign sales require Moscow’s consent. The contracts are now awaiting formal approval before final signatures can be completed, which would pave the way for Vietnam and Indonesia to become the second and third Southeast Asian nations, after the Philippines, to induct BrahMos systems.
BrahMos: A Game-Changing Missile
The BrahMos missile has earned a reputation for its speed, precision, and versatility. Capable of flying at nearly Mach 2.8, it can be deployed from land, sea, and air platforms, including integration with India’s Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets. Its range, initially limited to 290 km due to international regulations, has been extended to approximately 450 km, with further enhancements underway. These features make BrahMos a highly attractive solution for coastal and maritime defence, offering a credible deterrent against potential threats.
Geopolitical Implications in the Indo-Pacific
The deals come at a time when regional security dynamics in Southeast Asia are evolving rapidly. Both Vietnam and Indonesia face strategic challenges due to China’s assertive activities in the South China Sea, and acquiring BrahMos missiles significantly strengthens their anti-access and area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities. For India, the exports advance its “Act East” policy and expand its influence as a security partner, providing Southeast Asian nations with access to sophisticated defence systems without the geopolitical dependencies often associated with other major powers.
India’s Rising Defence Export Profile
The BrahMos agreements are part of a broader strategy to position India as a competitive global defence exporter. In 2024–25, India’s defence exports reached nearly ₹24,000 crore, spanning more than 80 countries. Alongside BrahMos, India is promoting other indigenous systems such as the Akash surface-to-air missile and the Pinaka multi-launch rocket system to friendly nations, including the UAE and Brazil. This diversification demonstrates India’s commitment to leveraging its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities to strengthen global strategic partnerships.
The MGMM Outlook
India is set to strengthen its strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific region through the export of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam and Indonesia, in deals valued at over ₹4,000 crore ($450 million). These agreements, now in the final stages pending formal approval, reflect India’s emergence as a trusted defence partner in Southeast Asia. The BrahMos missile, known for its speed, precision, and deployment flexibility across land, sea, and air platforms, offers advanced coastal and maritime defence capabilities. With Russia’s verbal clearance secured for foreign sales, Vietnam and Indonesia are poised to become the second and third Southeast Asian nations to induct BrahMos systems, following the Philippines. This move not only enhances the defence posture of these countries but also reinforces India’s strategic outreach under its “Act East” policy.
The timing of these exports carries significant geopolitical weight, as both Vietnam and Indonesia face growing security challenges due to China’s assertive activities in the South China Sea. By providing access to sophisticated missile systems, India is helping strengthen the anti-access and area-denial capabilities of these nations while advancing its own influence in regional security affairs. The BrahMos deals also reflect a larger trend of India positioning itself as a competitive global defence exporter, with its defence sales having reached nearly ₹24,000 crore in 2024–25 and covering over 80 countries. Alongside BrahMos, other indigenous systems like Akash and Pinaka are increasingly being supplied to strategic partners, signaling India’s intent to leverage domestic defence technology to foster international strategic partnerships.
(Sources: Times of India, Firstpost)